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Wednesday, 7 March 2018

Show me yours first.

IWF﻿

I really don't know why I didn't mention these guys earlier. Well,
actually I do know. It's because I didn't realize they were out
there when I wrote the piece from which the paragraph below is an extract.

That is not to say I had never read something about them,
been briefed about them or seen some cunningly crafted awareness raising
materials. After all they have been around since 2010. But if I had, it
hadn't stuck.

Hopefully you will have more luck.

These guys are the "Internet Watch Foundation" or IWF for
those in the know, and they have a logo that reminds me of the telly
programmes Panorama and Joe 90.

The Internet Watch Foundation will do their very best to get rid of
pictures and videos that have ended up on the internet, and which really should
not be there. They will help young people who have had live
streams recorded, shared pictures and sent videos of themselves with their
kit off or getting "explicit". If you, or someone you might know
want to get hold of them, they are here Internet Watch Foundation

.

I didn't know that texting a
naked selfie would end up on the internet forever. This applies to
text messages and all your other tech. If you haven't gone "kit
off" then probably best you don't. Every text, video chat or photo
on any app can be recovered. People will show and share photos and videos,
you know they will. They will still exist on the internet when you find
someone you want to get serious with. They will be there when you go to
university. They will still be there when you apply for..........you
get the message. If you have already gone kit off, you will be fine but
you may want some help if your photos are shared. We can help. Oh and if
you think about sharing, texting or forwarding something to your besties or
mates - that is a criminal offence.

And just so you know, these people also work incredibly hard to bring
down the live streams, the shared pictures and videos of child abuse, often of
the vilest sort. So I'd like to say "thank you" to anyone
who works or volunteers there and happens to read this.